Coca-Cola has combined global marketing, customer and commercial leadership under the newly created 'chief growth officer role' amid several other senior leadership appointments.

It comes as part of the drinks giant's ongoing transformation to facilitate further growth and accelerate innovation across its brand portfolio.

The six appointments will assume the roles on 1 May, when Coca-Cola president and chief operational officer, James Quincey, becomes the company’s new chief executive.

Francisco Crespo, who currently serves as president of the Mexico business unit, will fill the newly created role of chief growth officer. The new role combines global marketing, customer and commercial leadership and strategy into one role which will be responsible for driving growth across five strategic beverage categories- sparkling, juice/dairy/plant-based, tea and coffee, water and enhanced waters and energy.

Meanwhile, the new chief innovation officer role will be filled by current president of research and development, Robert Long. The creation of the title reflects the brand’s increased focus on accelerating the growth of its consumer-centric brand portfolio with hundreds of new products and continued innovation in beverages, packaging and ingredients.

Barry Simpson, currently senior vice president and chief information officer, will remain in his role but be elevated as a direct report to Quincey to increase visibility and focus on efforts to digitize all aspects of the company's business.

"We are moving quickly to structure our organization for faster growth and to ensure we can respond to the fast-changing needs of our consumers, customers, system and associates around the world. Each of the leaders named today is highly capable and understands our clear mandate for change, and I look forward to partnering with them as we transform our business for the future."